2010 was the year we made contact … wait, sorry, wrong catchline. 2010 was the year my family welcomed new members, notably my youngest, a daughter (code)named Choo Choo. It was a year I changed my career outlook (yes, again), and found that I’m not (completely) useless. This was a year of family, for me, and that’s perhaps the most important aspect.

But despite all that, I hesitate to call it “a year of change”.

Got me as to why, though. Let’s be honest, there were a lot of changes, not the least of which are the ones noted above. But at no time did I feel like this is a sudden (and possibly unwanted) shift in my life. It actually feels like things are more settled this year, despite the apparent upheaval, than in previous years. Maybe one day I’ll make some sense of that little quandary.

In the meantime, let’s review 2010:

Began the year with tea at the Banff Springs, seeing my friend Sonny for the first time in about 15 years

Started working with some old friends at a new(er) company, Evans Hunt

Went to Edmonton for a “surprise” weekend (mostly for Monkey) and spent a great morning in the waterslides with her

Celebrated my Nana’s 97th birthday, which would also sadly be her last

Found out that I’m K+, my kids are K+, and my wife is anti-K

Spent many a sleepless night worrying about Choo Choo before she was born

Though originally disheartened, came to love and be thrilled by the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada, and felt the massive pride for the successes of our athletes

Yes, I Twittered obsessively during the Men’s Hockey gold medal game

Bought our first flat-screen TV, to go along with our Apple TV

Welcomed my youngest, (code)named Choo Choo to our world

Watched Monkey’s first Easter egg hunt

Found out I’ve got something called “narrow angles” in my eyes, and got laser surgery in both of them

Went to Drumheller, and visited the Royal Tyrell

Guided (albeit not as well as I could have) the technical launch of my first all-Drupal website: VisitCalgary.com

Experienced the abject terror of losing your child in a mall

Said “thank you” to my Nana — I never say “goodbye”

Went on my first train chase with Monkey

Went to dim sum a couple of times, but not nearly enough

Introduced Monkey to sushi — I think she likes it

Went to Heritage Park a couple of times, and even saw Thomas the Tank Engine (hey, I’m a parent and I like trains, it’s a win-win)

Went to the Zoo lots (it helps to have a pass)

Saw a few movies, but not enough for my liking (the favourite of the year was Toy Story 3, and no, not just because I’m a parent)